Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir calls out players for chasing stats in loss to Western Bulldogs

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says his players have been too focused on stuffing their stat sheets and not enough on defensive work-rate in a pointed message before their clash with Gold Coast.

And Longmuir flagged they could shuffle the decks and replace Michael Walters with a midfielder for Sunday’s match at Optus Stadium.

Asked about Neil Erasmus’ impressive numbers for Peel Thunder, Longmuir warned his players off chasing stats, rather than playing their role and said “sometimes their priorities get swayed”.

“Everyone loves looking at the Peel stats, of all our players, not just Neil and they love looking at all the stats and reading stats and thinking a good game is determined by what the stat sheet says at the end of the day,” he said.

“I don’t even look at the stats sheet — not even at our game. (I) look at all aspects of their role, how they contribute to us being a good team.

“There is no doubt, in the seniors at the weekend that guys were worried about how many possessions they got than how they competed in the contest, how they pressured the opposition and how they defended.

“That’s not what I stand for as a coach.”

The Dockers were lashed by experts during the week for their efforts in defending Marcus Bontempelli in the heavy defeat to the Western Bulldogs.

Longmuir hinted that Bailey Banfield could spend less time on a wing this week, potentially allowing an extra midfielder to come into the side.

That could bring Erasmus or the out-of-favour Will Brodie into the mix, while last year’s first draft selection Cooper Simpson and Tom Emmett are the leading contenders for if Walters is replaced by a small forward.

“Neil is doing a really good job. He is diligent, he is purposeful in everything he is doing, he’s working his back-side off to be a more well-rounded midfielder,” Longmuir said.

“If an opportunity comes I’m sure he’s up for it.”

Longmuir declared Heath Chapman would be fit to play if he made it through the club’s main training session on Thursday and he appeared to pass with flying colours.

Chapman played in the first-choice team in an 18 v 18 drill at the end of the session, but the reduced teams meant there were no hints as to who else might come in.

Karl Worner — who replaced Chapman after he was pulled out of the side late against the Western Bulldogs — Simpson and Emmett were all on the second team.

“It’s probably the balance of the team, there are a number of different ways we can go,” Longmuir said.

“We have got the extra forward in the forward line with Banners, who has played a bit of time on the wing.

“Do we reshuffle the deck chairs in the team, or do we do like-for-like? There are a number of different options.”

Longmuir said he “can’t wait” to have Brennan Cox back in the team, but confirmed he will play reserves under heavy restrictions against West Perth on Saturday.